London - England forward George Kruis will be fit for the
defending champions' Six Nations opener against France next month, the Saracens
lock's club coach said on Tuesday.
Mark McCall is confident a minor cheekbone fracture won't stop Kruis, a member of the England side that won last season's Six Nations with a Grand Slam, being available for the February 4 Twickenham clash.
And he even suggested Kruis could face Toulon in holders
Saracens' European Champions Cup game on Saturday.
"George will definitely be available for England and
there's a slight chance he'll be available this weekend," said McCall.
"He'll go and see a consultant this evening and
hopefully we'll find out then. He's not far away so it's going to be that
conversation and we'll be guided by the conversation.
"George is able to train now, it's not an injury that's
preventing him from training, though obviously he's not doing contact until he's
given the all-clear."
England will be without former captain Chris Robshaw for the
whole of the Six Nations after the Harlequins flanker had shoulder surgery
while fellow back-row forward Billy Vunipola, also of Saracens, will miss at
least the opening rounds because of a knee problem.
Fellow loose forward James Haskell has only just been
cleared following concussion while England's lengthy injury list also includes
props Mako Vunipola and Joe Marler.
England coach Eddie Jones is due to name his squad for the Six Nations on Friday.